Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects about 5% to 10% of women ages 20 to 40.
It may affect a woman's menstrual cycle, hormones, heart, blood vessels, appearance and even their fertility.
Higher levels of androgen may be accompanied by missed or irregular periods as well as small cysts on the ovaries.
This condition is the most common cause of female infertility.
One of the most common concerns among women with this condition is whether they will be able to have children.
While it is possible to have children with this condition, the chances of getting pregnant are often lower than those of women without the condition.
This is because ovaries of women with this condition do not make all of the hormones necessary for the eggs created to be mature.
Ovulation may not occur or menstrual cycles may be irregular.
Women who do get pregnant may be at a greater risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and premature delivery.
Some experts have estimated that the rate of miscarriage among women with PCOS to be around 45%.
If you have PCOS, it is important to consider these possible risks and discuss them with your fertility doctor, as well as steps you may be able to take to minimize this risk.
Other symptoms in addition to infertility may include excess hair on face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes, the presence of cysts on the ovaries, male-pattern baldness, thinning hair, thick, dark patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts or thighs, skin tags, pelvic pain, weight gain, acne, dandruff, anxiety, depression and sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, inform your doctor.
So what are your chances of getting pregnant if you have this condition? It varies on several factors, but with fertility drugs and possibly through fertility procedures, many women have found success.
That is not to say, however, that women with this condition cannot get pregnant naturally.
Treating the condition may help to improve the chances of conceiving.
As the cause of this condition is unknown, doctors may treat the symptoms associated with the condition, but are unable to cure it.
If you're not trying to get pregnant, the birth control pill may be prescribed to help to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce hormone levels and minimize acne.
Other medications, including insulin, may also be prescribed.
Diet and exercise are natural ways of easing certain symptoms, while surgery may be available as well.
It may affect a woman's menstrual cycle, hormones, heart, blood vessels, appearance and even their fertility.
Higher levels of androgen may be accompanied by missed or irregular periods as well as small cysts on the ovaries.
This condition is the most common cause of female infertility.
One of the most common concerns among women with this condition is whether they will be able to have children.
While it is possible to have children with this condition, the chances of getting pregnant are often lower than those of women without the condition.
This is because ovaries of women with this condition do not make all of the hormones necessary for the eggs created to be mature.
Ovulation may not occur or menstrual cycles may be irregular.
Women who do get pregnant may be at a greater risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and premature delivery.
Some experts have estimated that the rate of miscarriage among women with PCOS to be around 45%.
If you have PCOS, it is important to consider these possible risks and discuss them with your fertility doctor, as well as steps you may be able to take to minimize this risk.
Other symptoms in addition to infertility may include excess hair on face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes, the presence of cysts on the ovaries, male-pattern baldness, thinning hair, thick, dark patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts or thighs, skin tags, pelvic pain, weight gain, acne, dandruff, anxiety, depression and sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, inform your doctor.
So what are your chances of getting pregnant if you have this condition? It varies on several factors, but with fertility drugs and possibly through fertility procedures, many women have found success.
That is not to say, however, that women with this condition cannot get pregnant naturally.
Treating the condition may help to improve the chances of conceiving.
As the cause of this condition is unknown, doctors may treat the symptoms associated with the condition, but are unable to cure it.
If you're not trying to get pregnant, the birth control pill may be prescribed to help to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce hormone levels and minimize acne.
Other medications, including insulin, may also be prescribed.
Diet and exercise are natural ways of easing certain symptoms, while surgery may be available as well.